The Experience Boosts Kids’ Immune Systems
Believe it or not, a little bit of dirt is good for kids. Raising animals around young children helps to boost their immune systems, according to a recent study by Ohio State University.
Living in a home that raises livestock exposes kids to various bacteria and viruses, giving their immune system some practice – and thus strengthening it.
They Teach Patience
Above all, raising animals teaches kids patience. It’s easy to get frustrated when you’re trying to catch a goat for milking or a chicken that has a broken feather that needs to be removed. However, the animals will sense your frustration, which only makes them more difficult to manage. Raising your kids around animals will make them far more patient than those who grow up with domestic pets like dogs or cats. While there’s nothing wrong with traditional household pets, raising livestock is an entirely different experience.
Enjoy Your Animals
You don’t need an entire farm to enjoy the benefits of raising animals around your children. You’ll be good to go with a goat or a handful of chickens. Of course, if you want an entire farm of chickens, goats, pigs, cows and horses, that’s perfectly fine, too. Either way, enjoy your animals and the joy they bring you, as well as the lessons they bring for your children. If you get some eggs or milk along the way, so much the better.
Emily is the editor of Conservation Folks and a sustainability and conservation blogger. Follow her on Twitter to see the latest updates.
